Nervous.

[peggyfromwastate]

Ds has his first sleepover tonight. He's 10, and he's going to good buddy's house from the swim team. I know the mom, but ds is allergies to peanuts (epipen) and he has to manage his diabetes there by himself. This is exactly why we sent him to diabetes camp last summer so he could learn independence for this situation, and he's a super responsible kid, but I know I'm gonna be pretty much a wreck of worry and stress tonight!!!

You talked with the mom about all of it, right? If I were her, I'd be ON TOP of it. When my friend w/the highly allergic children came to stay I SCRUBBED my house down just in case one stray peanut-butter finger had left a mark.

I'm sure she will be, too. xoxo

[SuzySunshine]

Good for him and good for mom for letting him go. Big big hugs, he'll have a great time!

[scrub-jay]

Although I only have a toddler, I COMPLETELY understand. Only *some* people truly understand the severity of food allergies or diabetes and it is terrifying to trust anyone. Both are a BIG deal. Your son will be fine, you have been his safety net for a long time and you have taught him well. There is nothing I can say to alleviate your fears though, you will probably be a wreck tonight. This is why I have yet to hire a babysitter. ((big hugs))

[peggyfromwastate]

Just dropped him off. I feel like I'm going to throw up. I feel as nervous as when I had to drop dd15 off at homecoming all by herself bc her "friends" flipped out on her...

Anyway, the older brother (the 12 year old) is actually allergic to peanuts, so they are a no peanut house! Yay! I think I knew that. Honestly I get so distracted by the diabetes that I rarely think on the peanuts, but as I was having Steven check the epipens (he brought 2 with him) and do some practice swings with the practice injector, I started to spaz a little. I need to get more informed on peanut allergies. I tend to push it to the back of my mind bc the diabetes is a constantly changing situation...

Anyway, I talked to the dad about the diabetes, Steven has the insulin, he knows what to do... They are having cake and pizza all at the same time which makes it much easier (vs eat pizza, then have cake 1 hour later), but even then, steven is very good about just setting aside his piece of cake to eat when he can... Basically he has to correct for every carb he eats, and he's been calculating it all on his own (we check over what he does, but I don't hang over his shoulder and check him obviously-- I do it on the sly so he doesn't know). He has an app on his ipod for this purpos (dh's old iphone-- very handy) and the app has all the info on it so it's easy to track, and easy for him to do. The dad will remind him about taking the insulin, and I told him to call us AT ANY TIME no matter what. I really hope he does. I also told Steven that if he's low at night he needs to call us bc he can't sleep over if he needs a 2 am check. Lol the kids will probably be up at 2 am so he can just check himself.

Deep breaths. Parenting is so real sometimes...

[Pollyanna]

. You are an awesome mommy and have taught him well. He will do great. You will likely need a nap tomorrow

ETA: Just the same, would you mind keeping us posted too? Thanks!

[MrsK]

I think he will make you very proud of him tonight.

[peggyfromwastate]

Although I only have a toddler, I COMPLETELY understand. Only *some* people truly understand the severity of food allergies or diabetes and it is terrifying to trust anyone. Both are a BIG deal. Your son will be fine, you have been his safety net for a long time and you have taught him well. There is nothing I can say to alleviate your fears though, you will probably be a wreck tonight. This is why I have yet to hire a babysitter. ((big hugs))

When he was first diagnosed with the peanut allergy at age 2 dh and I said "he will NEVER go on a sleepover or go to summer camp or go away to college..." It's a process, and it's very hard.

This summer was huge for us all-- sending him to the diabetes sleepaway camp was a Big Deal. He was gone for 6 days, and he had a blast. He missed us more than dd missed us at her camp lol. But he learned so much about managing his diabetes and not being "embarassed" by it. I have met several people at swim meets who see him checking his sugar or injecting himself with insulin and the kids are curious, but some of the parents are really interesting. I met a mom who has a son who has diabetes, about Steven's age. She pulled him from sports bc of diabetes, and the need to constantly check sugars, and to eat on a schedule, etc., etc. She saw Steven doing his thing, talked to ma about it a little (complete stranger), and she was just so happy--- she was like "I'm going to sign him up for swimming! He can do this!"

Anyway, sleepovers are hard for all of us mamma bears!!

[peggyfromwastate]

ETA: Just the same, would you mind keeping us posted too? Thanks!

I'll be sure to report back tomorrow!!! He's such a responsible kid!! I just still see my chubby little baby when I see him sometimes... He was such a hugger.

[Bittersweet]

Of course you're nervous - he's your child! With that said, you've done a wonderful job preparing him for this step and I'm sure he'll do great.

[ladymoreta]

Great job, both of you! I hope everything goes fantastic!

[Ladybug]

Can he call or dad text you his numbers/doses? I would. I thinks that's totally age appropriate and reasonable for a first sleepover.

[peggyfromwastate]

I think we will call the dad at around 9 just to touch base. I hesitate bc I don't want him to feel self conscious about mom calling... But I think it's a good idea.

I seriously think of just activating the old iPhone for him to use so he can txt me. And he's only 10... But there are so many times at swim meets and what not where I can't get his attention. Dd15 would die tho if he got a cell already!!!

[Ladybug]

You have to know his numbers and trends to sleep tonight. It's ok. You are not smothering him and I would be the first to honestly tell you that being on the other end of that at times. This is about you too. I would consider activating the iPhone. I text numbers to moms all the time, and HS students text numbers to me. It's discreet but communicative. If he can't use it responsibly then he can't safely sleep over either....

[houseelf]

Thinking of you!